Vitamin D deficiency.

Saw this thread the other day and wondered so consulted Google and this is what the NHS website says about vitamin D - www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

It is good that people wish to save the NHS money by just buying vitamins over the counter but you need the diagnosis from a GP who will give you the correct dosage. Over the counter drugs are not prescription strength.

It is worth remembering, not everyone experiences obvious symptoms when suffering vitamin D deficiency.
Mine is practically non existent, which MAY be the reason for my low mood and chronic fatigue. I'm just not sure.
The fact that I need biophosphates ASAP is the reason for the urgency to deliver high doses of D3 and do blood tests to monitor vitamin levels and kidney function.
No two people are likely to be the same.
Obviously one's GP or consultant knows what is the best treatment for each individual.

Magrithea whoever did the screen should have prescribed drugs rather than leave you to fend for yourselves.

We had a health screen recently and were both told we had vit D deficiency but don't feel ill at all. It was at the end of the bad winter we've just endured but perhaps I'd better get some tablets

Thank you, Marydoll. I'd like to lay claim to having invented it myself, but I nicked it from a novel, years ago.

SueDonim?

PS it's taken me ages to realise how clever your user name is.?

This has been an interesting thread. I take calcium & Vit D tablets so hopefully I'm ok. I've never thought to ask for a blood test.

Marydoll, I'm slightly concerned that you and Juggernaut could get arrested for sunbathing in the nude in Dubai!

I'm very fortunate that most of my medical needs are managed by hospital consultants. My GP issues prescriptions on their advice. This thread has been an eye opener of how difficult it is to get help.
Only once did my practice refuse to prescribe the recommended medication and used an alternative, as it was deemed too expensive.
However, it was ineffective and they agreed to prescribe the original one.

Re prescriptions not being given it can be due to budget strain as our surgery's was seriously over budget and so everything has been severely trimmed including tests for vitamin d deficiency. Anyway that is why I get tests done privately as my gp friend recommended. It is hard to know what is making you feel so unwell isn't it and it often means a very long process of trying out different things. Good to talk on GN about such things.
A diagnosis from testing is helpful but clearly very expensive if everyone wants to be tested. Glad I am not one of the 'bean counters' anyway as restrictions are not popular with Drs or patients.

Maybe the docs should give out a leaflet about it or something, seems a lot of us have a vague diagnosis and then it's up to us. !!!

I have learned a lot on this thread and I hope others have too. Who would have thought a simple question about a vitamin would result in so many postings?
It is so good to see everyone contributing and supporting one another.?

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Sorry for errors and lack of punctuation

I agree Marydoll.It was just that you said you were surprised GPs did not prescribe it and I was surprised that some did as I have not heard of that. I take medication for other medical conditions and so have my kidney and liver functions annually.
I wasn't aware it could be affected by vitamin Thanks for the info.

Greenfinch, I do agree that vitamin D and medication like paracetamol shouldn't need a prescription for most people.
However, for those of us with specific medical conditions, it is essential that a doctor prescribes and monitors. Otherwise, how can we know what dosage is required to rectify matters and if kidney and liver function becomes affected.

Like Nelliemoser, I too was recently diagnosed with a parathyroid adenoma, following blood tests ŵhich showed very low levels of Vitamin D and extremely high levels of calcium. It is a very serious condition if left, so please be aware and follow up with your GP.

I saw my GP yesterday for a medication review and asked him about the Vitamin D tablets as I was worried because someone on here said it cannot be absorbed unless combined with calcium. He said that is true only if your body is deficient in calcium . Otherwise it is perfectly OK to take it on its own.
I do not see the need for doctors to prescribe Vit D when it is so widely available and relatively cheap.

A few years ago my GP did a blood test and eventually dicscovered I had high blood calcium. It turned out I had a parathyroid adenoma which was when one of the parathroid glands was over active and leaching the calcium out of my bones.

The surgeon's words were that if you don't get this sorted ASAP you will be peeing your bones down the toilet .

I was put on very particularly high vitamin D dosage and went on to Alendronate (Fosamax) . I had a couple of Dexa scans over time and my bone density had gone back out of the "osteopenia" range to nearer normal . I am a bit
paranoid now,
It seems dreadful so many people are not aware of this . I am so glad this is being aired. on here

Actually different bits of me started dropping off after then. I had to have my shoulder tendons reatached to a metal anchor in my shoulder because the arthritic bits of bone spurs growing out had frayed the tendons like an old rope. Getting old is a not much fun.
Keep giving out this Vitamin D message.

I was low on vit D. Initially the GP prescribed it and then told me to buy my own and to take it daily. 800 IU or 20 microgrammes. I sometimes take a multivitamin which has half the amount but includes the B vitamins. I don't like taking masses of different pills.

I do wonder if the constant advice about Cholesterol and keeping out of the sun is making Vitamin D deficiency worse. I am on Adcal and Alendronic Acid for Osteoporosis but prior to that I had been told to cut right back on Dairy food for a slightly high Cholesterol and keep out of the sun after having a small spot removed, not much help when no one has diagnosed the Osteoporosis which would have benefitted from both. Vitamin K is thought to help combined with Calcium and Vitamin D.

rocketstop The first thing I would do is to to go back to my GP, explain your problem and ask if possible to be referred to a specialist clinic.
I have attended an osteoporosis clinic for about 20 years.
However, I was recently referred to a new specialist bone mineral department by my osteoporosis consultant, as he felt they would be better at dealing with things.
I'm puzzled by the posters whose GP advised them to go and buy medication rather than prescribe it.

I have been diagnosed as Vitamin D deficient and the doc said to take a supplement. However when I took vit D and Calcium, I suffered extreme headaches, and if you look up 'Does calcium cause headaches?' there is loads of information saying it does. So, I stoppe taking them and the headaches stopped. So , I take menopace plus which has a lot of different vitamins in, but what should I do about getting vit D , as someone said on here that it can't be absorbed if you don't take it with calcium.? I too am suffering lethargy and aching bones.

Hannahlouiseluke I also have AMD but the dry variety as well as osteopenia. I was told to sit in the sun (if any!) for 15-20 minutes x3 a week during the summer months, shielding my eyes but without any sun lotion on then. I try but it is a bit hit and miss because of our inclement weather. I have been on ADCAL D3 for 9 years and I also cannot get a blood test.I did not notice a change taking the drugs. I am prescribed the drugs but for how much longer I do not know.

I wonder if this thing about not retesting is an NHS England decision. I'm in Scotland and my consultant has said that I will continue to be tested. ?
In fact, I will have another test in a couple of months.?